|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Can you find the hidden ‘caterpillars’? Time – 30 – 40 minutes Application – This camouflage game demonstrates how, in nature animals invest a lot of energy into hiding from their predators. Camouflage is colour and pattern, which hide an animal’s outline. Resources – A 30cm stick per child, lengths of wool in bright and natural colours cut into ‘caterpillars’ (about 10 of each colour) |
PAINTED LADY CATERPILLAR |
 |
Activity – Distribute the pieces of wool randomly along a hedgerow or grassy area beforehand so that the children don’t see you. Tell the children that they are going on a caterpillar hunt for some unusual caterpillars that are hiding in the hedge. As the children find the lengths of wool, they must tie them to their stick, working from top to bottom. When all of the caterpillars have been found, ask the children to compare their sticks. They should all find that the bright colours are mainly at the top of their sticks, the duller more natural colours taking longer to find.
Follow-up – Discuss camouflage in more detail and ask if they can think of other creatures who are camouflaged and why (zebras, tigers, moths, birds, etc). It may be useful to show pictures of camouflaged animals to illustrate the point. It is important here to make links with adaptation and discuss predators and prey. Then go on a search for small camouflaged animals (caterpillars, insects, spiders, etc)
Risk Assessment – No undue risk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|